ComEd, Red Cross headed to East for hurricane relief

(MCT) — Local representatives of ComEd and the American Red Cross were gearing up today to assist in Hurricane Sandy relief as the potentially dangerous storm moves toward the East Coast.

More than 240 ComEd crews deployed to the East Coast Saturday to be on hand to provide assistance to sister companies with power restoration if needed, said ComEd spokesman John Schoen.

About 700 ComEd workers will be helping in hurricane relief efforts, with half stationed in Baltimore and the other half in Philadelphia, Schoen said.

"We're glad that we are able to provide assistance," he said. "The crews will stay there as long as their needed."

said it is sending 9 relief workers/volunteers from the area and a mobile feeding truck from its DeKalb office east in preparation for helping with relief efforts.

The American Red Cross was mobilizing hundreds of disaster workers, readying shelters and coordinating response efforts in the region, according to their Website.

Red Cross workers will be stationed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware as early as this afternoon when shelters are planned to be open, the site said.

"This is a dangerous storm that should be taken seriously and people should get ready now," said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president of Disaster Services for the Red Cross. "Sandy could affect people all along the East Coast and the Red Cross is preparing to open shelters and is moving in workers, vehicles and relief supplies into place."

Cots, blankets and ready-to-eat meals were being shipped to those locations, according to the Website.

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